Aerial fun nearly here

As this weekend’s Mountain Madness Air Show approaches, event organizers are confident the show will be one to remember.

Courtenay Sprunger, the show’s public relations director, said the air show was headed for its attendance goal.

“We’re on track for our goal of 30,000 people,” she said, “based on the trends we’ve been seeing and the trends of other air shows in the country.”

Weather for air-show weekend is forecast as cloudy to partly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain on Sunday. Saturday’s high is forecast to reach 72 degrees and Sunday is expected to be 61 degrees.

In a new push to make all presale tickets online, Sprunger said folks who need help purchasing tickets online can call the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce at 758-2800.

No physical locations are planned for presale tickets. Adult tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the gate;  tickets for children 5 to 12 are $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. A family package is available online for $55 that allows two adults and two children into the show.

The lack of a box office means fewer volunteers are needed. Sprunger said Mountain Madness has 500 volunteer shifts filled on each of the three days.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are the main attraction of the air show.

There are two preliminary events on Friday: At 3 p.m. at Eisinger Motors, the Flash Fire Jet Truck will be on display. From 5 to 9 p.m. at Depot Park in Kalispell, there will be a preflight party.

Saturday and Sunday, the gates at Glacier Park International Airport open at 10 a.m. for some ground events. Featured performers begin flying at 11:30 a.m. The show ends at 5 p.m.

Because the show is using the same runway as commercial flights, folks flying out of Glacier Park International Airport are advised to arrive two hours early for flights. Heavy traffic is expected on U.S. 2 around the airport. Those flying out of Glacier should remain in the northbound righthand lane until directed otherwise by volunteers.

Parking for the show will be managed by Solution Event Services and 100 volunteers. A $5 parking donation is recommended and drivers should anticipate 15 to 20 minutes to park and walk to the air show’s main gate.

Free shuttles will run between the front gates and the parking lots.

For more information, go to www.montanaairshow.com